The RSPCA is backing a decision for the Government to review regulations around the licensing of air weapons.

The announcement by the Government follows a coroner's call for a review of firearms laws after a teenager was accidentally shot in the neck and killed by a home-made air rifle held by his friend.

13-year-old Ben Wragge was fatally struck while playing with a group of boys at a friend's house in the village of Thurston, near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, last year.

There were 4,828 airgun incidents reported to the RSPCA between January 1 2012 and June 30 2017 including 2,003 wild birds, 1814 cats, 349 wild mammals, 345 dogs and 104 farm birds.

This includes a total of 70 incidents in Dorset.

A cat was left with horrific injuries after being shot three times with an airgun in Blandford in 2016.

Six year-old black and white cat Sooty was lucky to be alive after a metal pellet narrowly missed his vital organs.

In the same year five-year-old cat Indy was shot and killed with an air rifle in Corfe Castle.

A cherished family cat targeted by sick airgun thugs three times in the past was also found shot dead in a Bournemouth back garden.

Four-year-old Whisper, a pure white male cat, was killed earlier this year.

David Bowles, RSPCA assistant director of external affairs, said: “The RSPCA welcomes this announcement and any review around the regulation of air weapons licensing.

“It is heartbreaking that such a tragic incident has sparked this review and our thoughts go out to Benjamin’s family and friends, but we hope that any future regulations around the licensing of these weapons in England and Wales will better protect people, children and animals.

“The RSPCA has long been calling for stricter regulations around owning airguns as well as better education and explanation of the law for those buying an airgun. Our 24-hour cruelty hotline receives hundreds of calls every year reporting airgun attacks on animals. Last year, we received 890 calls and this year looks set to top that and, worryingly, reach a five-year high.

“Animals can suffer horrendous injuries and often die as a result of airgun attacks and these weapons are potentially extremely dangerous for people as well.”

To report any incidents of air gun attacks on animals, contact the RSPCA at rspca.org.uk or call 0300 1234 999.